Political leaders pray for recovery of Atal Bihari Vajpayee

Vajpayee's health condition worsened in last 24 hours and he has been kept on life support.

In a latest medical bulletin, the AIIMS said Vajpayee's health condition remained critical.

Interacting with media, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister said: "I am praying to God that his health condition improves so that he gives direction to the nation and the party (BJP) once again."

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who cancelled his political programmes, said: "I want to meet Atal ji. He is a leader who remained in our hearts and minds. He remained our inspiration and idol. By his mere presence, we all get confidence and urge to do good works. I am praying to God to keep him alive."

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh told media, "I am praying to God that Atal ji's health improves and he lives long so that his presence in the country and in politics remains."

Expressing her thoughts, former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti tweeted, "Worried about Former PM Vajpayee jis health. He and his family are in my thoughts and prayers. Can never forget the love and affection he showered upon me every time we met."

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu tweeted,"Saddened to hear about the critical health condition of Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji. Praying for his speedy recovery."

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Vice President Venkaiah Naidu, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief Amit Shah, Congress president Rahul Gandhi, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his Deputy Manish Sisodia visited the AIIMS on Thursday.

West Bengal and Bihar Chief Ministers, Mamata Banerjee and Nitish Kumar respectively, are expected to arrive at New Delhi by the evening.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje too cancelled her political plans and she is on her way to New Delhi.

Nitish had earlier tweeted in Hindi to pray for Vajpayee's recovery of health condition.

"Personally, I used to get special affection and direction from Atal ji. I got to understand about the public life from him. He is like my guardian. I pray his speedy recovery of health," the Bihar Chief Minister said in a follow up tweet.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday evening visited Vajpayee in the hospital.

According to reports, the Prime Minister spent about 50 minutes in the hospital.

Vajpayee, 93, was admitted to the AIIMS with a kidney tract infection, urinary tract infection, low urine output and chest congestion. 

He is under the supervision of Dr Randeep Guleria, the Director of AIIMS, who has been his personal physician for decades.

Vajpayee, whose first term as the Prime Minister lasted only 13 days in 1996, was the Prime Minister from 1998 to 2004.